Managing Arthritis Pain: Effective Strategies and Medications

03/19/2024

 

Different Types Of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, fibromyalgia, and child arthritis are common types of Arthritis.

Osteoarthritis: 

The most common type of arthritis is also known as wear-and-tear arthritis. This disease is caused by damage to the cartilage and occurs mainly in the knees, hips, and hands. The symptoms can worsen with time and can limit muscle movement. Since this condition has no cure, doctors use a combination of treatments to keep the symptoms in check and prevent them from worsening.

Rheumatoid arthritis:

It is a form of autoimmune Arthritis in which the immune system, which is meant to protect the body from diseases and infections, attacks the tissues in the affected area. The common symptoms of this disease are pain, swelling, and stiffness, which limits joint functioning. It usually occurs in the knees, wrists, and hands.

Fibromyalgia:

It is a chronic disease that causes widespread pain, fatigue, mental stress, sleeping, and memory issues. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known; researchers believe it could be linked to several factors. Possible triggers include emotional or physical stress. People whose biological parents suffer from this disease are more likely to develop this disease. This disease has no cure, but effective treatment can relieve the symptoms.

Gout:

It is a form of inflammatory Arthritis that causes severe pain, swelling, and redness in the joints. The condition arises when uric acid crystallizes and deposits in the joints, causing swelling and pain. It accumulates when the body produces too much urate and cannot remove the excess.

Child Arthritis:

This type of arthritis affects children and is also termed Juvenile arthritis. The common symptoms of this disease are swelling and achy joints, which may lead to permanent disability. Juvenile arthritis affects one or more joints in children under 16. The exact cause of childhood arthritis is not known, but the symptoms can be managed by encouraging the kids to indulge in physical activity to minimize the arthritis pain.

There are several other types of Arthritis in addition to those listed above. The symptoms could differ depending on the type of arthritis; however, the general symptoms are joint pain and inflammation.

Risk Factors Involved In Developing the Disease

Several factors could lead to the disease's development, including risks that can be controlled and those that can’t. Below are a few of them.

Controlled Risk Factors

Overweight or Obesity:

Obese or overweight people are more prone to developing knee osteoarthritis, which can worsen the arthritis symptoms. Extra weight increases pressure on the knee and hip joints. Healthy eating and physical activity are simple yet effective practices to lose weight.

Joint Infection and Injury:

​Joint infections caused by bacteria and viruses can lead to the development of certain types of arthritis. Joint injuries or work involving repetitive joint use can damage joints and increase the chances of developing arthritis in those joints. Refrain from high-impact and repetitive motion activities, like tennis, squats, and running.

Smoking:

​Smoking leads to stress on the connective tissues and can increase arthritis pain. Cigarette smoking can lead to developing rheumatoid arthritis and can worsen the disease. It can also cause several other medical issues; hence, it is in one's best interest to quit smoking.

Uncontrolled Risk Factors

Age and Gender:

The chances of developing arthritis increases with age. It is more common in females and gout in men. It is unknown why females are at higher risk of developing most types of arthritis, whereas men are more prone to Gout.

Genetics:

Individuals with specific genes called Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) are more prone to developing a particular type of Arthritis, such as Rheumatoid arthritis. Medical experts don’t know why people with these genes are at higher risk of developing arthritis.

Strategies to Minimize Arthritis Pain

In addition to generic arthritis drugs, the risk of getting arthritis or preventing its symptoms from worsening can be minimized by following the information below.

Stay Active and Exercise:

Staying physically active is the most basic and effective way of minimizing arthritis pain. Movement can reduce stiffness and joint pain and helps build endurance by strengthening the muscles around the joints. When starting with physical activity, begin with low-impact exercises to reduce joint stress. Consider exercises like brisk walking, swimming, and running. Besides relieving pain, exercise improves body function, lifts mood, and improves the quality of life in people suffering from this disease.

Medications:

Many medications are available to help you manage arthritis symptoms better. Hyaluronic acid injections help reduce joint pain and improve joint movement by increasing lubrication and minimizing joint friction. After consulting with your doctor, consider buying cheap arthritis drugs online.

Heat and Cold Therapy:

Heating and icing the painful joint is a simple way to relieve arthritis pain. Heat relaxes the muscles and helps with joint stiffness, whereas cold relieves pain and swelling. It’s a temporary measure to reduce pain and make you feel better, not a permanent cure. Avoid using heat and ice therapy for more than 20 minutes, as it could cause injury to the skin.

Acupuncture:

Acupuncture helps treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It relieves pain by triggering the release of endorphins. However, there isn’t concrete evidence that shows acupuncture has anti-inflammatory effects.

Supplement:

Including dietary supplements such as Curcumin, omega-3 fats, and Vitamin D helps reduce arthritis pain. Curcumin is used for its anti-inflammatory traits, the use of omega-3 fats helps relieve arthritis symptoms, and Vitamin D helps strengthen the bones.

Conclusion

With everyday activity being disturbed, arthritis pain can impact your confidence level and can make you feel discouraged, which in turn might lead to depression. These self-defeating thoughts can minimized by affordable or cheap arthritis drugs in combination with other therapies and modifications in lifestyle. Yoga, meditation, music, and staying close to nature keep negative thoughts away and help you relax and relieve the pain. Talk to your doctor about programs that help people deal better with the challenges of living with Arthritis.